Happy New Year Everybody! I almost made this post on time, but I struggled SO hard narrowing my Top Ten list down to an actual ten books (I was stuck at fifteen and kept going back and forth). But I’m here to say that I’d rather be a day late than not be happy with my choices. Anyways, in no particular order (other than the fact that the first one is actually, far and away, my favorite of the year), here are my top ten favorite books that I read in 2018!
*All titles are linked back to the original reviews I wrote, so you can see more of why I loved them, if you want.
THIS BOOK. It spoke to my soul.
Hardcore SWOON. And so quirk-ily original for a contemporary romance!
There is something about this series that, if you were ever an outsider of any kind, or felt like you didn’t fit, just reaches out and understands you.
Another swoon, but this time with a little more seriousness and reality. So much book boyfriend. Gorgeous and artistic writing full of feeling.
What an EPIC fantasy (and a debut at that!). No holds barred, full world-building. I cannot wait for more!
A fiery and intense spoken word YA debut. So much expression in so few words!
It’s hard to explain how difficult this was to read. My emotions were fried. But it was so worth it. And Turtle has truly stuck with me.
The last book of the year sneaking into the top ten. Heavy and heart-wrenching, but hopeful and told with beyond gorgeous language.
I could literally talk about this book for hours. SO MANY insights and hypothetical explorations. LOVED it!
This is the book I wish I had had when I was in high school. And I love it for that.
So, there we go – my Top Ten of 2018! I think six were listed on my halfway through the year top ten, so I feel like that’s a pretty good split and a sign that my reading year was equally awesome from beginning to end. Also, as requested by a few people prior to officially posting this, here are the five “honorable mention” books that gave me such a struggle when I had to “cut” them from the top ten. I just feel like they deserve recognition for making things so tough!
And now that you’ve seen the exhaustive list, tell me, what about you?! Any on here that you loved? Any that you think I overrated? What were YOUR favorites of 2018?!
Just One More Pa(i)ge 
What an amazing list! I also had The Kiss Quotient, The Poppy War, and The Poet X on my list! I adore Circe as well. The rest of these are on my TBR so I am happy to see you loved them! Happy 2019!
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Thanks! I had such a wonderful reading year. So glad you had similarly awesome reading experiences with some of these!
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Amazing list! My Absolute Darling and The Poppy War are two I’d like to get to this year😊
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Thanks! I (obviously) recommend both. Haha. Though for very different reasons. I hope you love them!
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Hey! I’ve recently released my debut poetry collection The Moon Can Take His Time. I was wondering if you’d like a copy of it in exchange for doing a review? I’m really proud of this book and I want to get it out in the hands of more people. I have attached the link so you can read the sample if you’d like. I look forward to hearing from you. Baleigh Roberts
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MHDF6WJ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1546310640&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=the+moon+can+take+his+time&dpPl=1&dpID=31qHrSqDsqL&ref=plSrch Sent from my iPhone
>
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Great list! Love that you had so many favorites that it was a struggle to narrow it down to only ten. It’s better to have too many favorites than not enough though! I think I might be the only reader who hasn’t read Circe yet. Need to remedy that! And you have no idea how happy it makes me to see Furiously Happy as an honorable mention. Love Jenny!
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I know – it does seem like everybody has read it! Honestly though, I really think the hype is worth it. But it is a slower paced book, with beautiful language and subtle development being big points, so make sure that’s what you’re in the mood for before starting! And OMG yes – it was so funny but also so important! And she reads it herself, so the audiobook was amazing.
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I still need to read Circe, The Poet X, and Radio Silence, so I’m glad they are in your top ten. I also need to read Vengeful – I FINALLY read Vicious late last year and loved it.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
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I hope you love them all as much as I did! And OMG yes – Vicious is so good (and Vengeful a very worthy successor).
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So happy to see Circe on here! It was a standout for me too!
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It’s just SO good! Glad you loved it too!
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How could I forget The Power?! I adored that book! Circe, The Astonishing Color of After, and City of Brass all made it to my list as well.
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Yes! I just loved how much it explores and seriously I could just talk about it for hours. There’s so much to it. So glad you loved so many of the same books – it was such a great reading year!
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Since I just finished it today – you should read Vox, since you liked The Power as much as I did. It’s in the same vein, and horrifying. I haven’t reviewed it yet, but will sometime this month.
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Oh it’s on my list! But after this rec, I’ll try to move it up! Thanks.
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Hmm now I am interested in Whiskey and Ribbons… darn it. I keep trimming my TBR and then it gets full up again! I also loved The Poet X and The Power (both made it onto my top 10/honorable mentions lists too)! I hope your 2019 is a great reading year!
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Hahaha – I know that feeling! It’s worth it though… Hope you have an amazing reading year as well!
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Awesome list!! And I LOVE your book photos!! Happy 2019!
Erica | Erica Robyn Reads
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Thank you!! And same to you!
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There are some really good books and suggestions in your wrap up! Thanks for that😊 I haven’t read most of these books but I’ve ordered Circe and The Kiss Quotient last month and they should be arriving this month, so excited about those!
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Oh yay! Those were likely my two favorites of the year…though very different. I hope you love them both as much as I did! Happy reading.
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Love seeing The Kiss Quotient on your list! That book was everywhere in 2018… and with good reason. I fell in love with Michael and Stella. They were so great together! 🙂
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Yes! It’s one of the best and most unique contemporary romances I’ve ever read, while still remaining swoon-y. Perfect combo!
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Circe & Vengeful were on my list too!
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So good!
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These are some great recommendations! A few of these are going in my cart for sure!
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Awesome! I hope you love them too!
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Only read The Kiss Quotient on your list. I keep avoiding Circe but it seemed to have made a lot of year end lists.
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It’s not a fast paced book, so don’t go into it if you aren’t in the mood for lush language and slower character development. But I just really loved the retelling of the myths and stories we already know from her POV. Plus, her long, but very personal, journey to find what mattered to her and live for that really resonated with me. I know it’s not for everyone, but if you go into it when you are in the right mindset, it’s really stunning.
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I loved Circe!! And I’m looking forward to down among the sticks and bones and kits quotient!
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Yes! And they are two of my next favorites on this list, after Circe, and both pretty fast reads. I hope you love them as much as I did!
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